Big names to take part in virtual festival for 8-year-old Saoírse Ruane
Stars come out to support Saoírse Ruane, who was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma tumour, a rare form of cancer
In December 2019, when she was aged 7, Saoírse Ruane was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma tumour, a rare form of cancer, in in her tibia.
This is a life-threatening tumour which will require Saoírse to have months of intense chemotherapy in Crumlin.
Not only has Saoírse to endure this treatment but she also underwent life changing surgery in March 2020 for an amputation to her right leg.
Saoírse from Kiltullagh in Galway, is currently awaiting her first prosthetic and to begin the next step of her journey in adapting to life with a prosthetic.
As a young growing girl, she will require ongoing prosthetics which can range in cost from €5,000 to €30,000, as well as modifications to the family home to make life easier.
To help the family meet these costs, as well as to raise crucial funds for charities including the Irish Cancer Society, an online summer festival is to be held.
Saoírse is an incredibly talented girl with a love of all things music, therefore as a way of supporting her and the charities who deal with cases similar to Saoírse on a daily basis Saoírse’s Summer Fest was born.
Saoirse’s mum Roseanna explains why they chose the Irish Cancer Society as one of the charities to benefit from this unique fundraiser.
Reflecting on the day her daughter was sent to have a procedure ahead of chemotherapy she said, “I was like any ordinary mum consumed with grief, trying to get my head around the fact that my little girl had cancer and that we were in the surroundings we were in, Crumlin Children's Hospital.
“It was frightening and daunting and I felt sick with worry and I honestly could not stop crying. While Saoirse was in theatre the social worker came to speak to me and she sat me down and went through all the different things that we needed to be made aware of with regards to medical card applications and paperwork etc.”
When she was informed that the Irish Cancer Society would be in a position to give a financial contribution as part of the Children’s Fund financial support scheme Roseanna said she “burst out crying” and felt overwhelmed.
When a child becomes critically ill, life comes to a standstill. For me I wasn't going to leave her side but that brought that added worry of how we would survive on one salary. The bills still have to be paid and that's the reality of it all. The donation from The Irish Cancer Society, felt like a little cushion to help us with whatever we needed there and then. I remember thinking that someday I would make it my mission to repay The Irish Cancer Society back in order for another family to benefit and receive the support we received.
Saoirse’s Summer Fest will take place on August 2 and will see big names including Kodaline perform for people to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. The cream of the country’s musicians will take part in a virtual concert in aid of Saoírse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co Galway. Cliona Hagan, Mike Denver, Rory’s Stories, Blessed, The Two Johnnies and KeyWest are some of the acts that have agreed to take part in the concert that will be broadcast across the Saoirse Summerfest social media platforms.
Saoirse’s Summer Fest will be streamed online at www.saoirsessummerfest.com
People can log on to the website and donate through the GoFundMe link on the site.
As well as helping Saoirse and her family funds raised will also benefit Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Hand in Hand, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, Irish Cancer Society and Galway University Hospital.
For more information
Phone
1800 200 700
